Bryce Canyon City unaffected by Bryce Canyon National Park’s E. coli water contamination
By Hannah Lunt
Bryce Canyon City’s water supply for all of its restaurants, hotels, residential houses, campgrounds, and other facilities is not and will not be affected by the Bryce Canyon National Park E. coli water contamination. While Bryce Canyon City is located just outside the entrance of Bryce Canyon National Park, the city uses a separate water source from the park.
“We want all to know that the water used by Bryce Canyon City is safe to drink as we have put in place safeguards to prevent water contamination,” said Shiloh Syrett, mayor of Bryce Canyon City.
For decades, the local government and businesses of Bryce Canyon City have had a contamination plan to prevent E. coli and other bacteria from entering the water supply. The city’s well is sealed tightly, and the water is sourced at 100 feet below ground. With such a deep water source, animals cannot access and contaminate the water as they can the surface water source used by Bryce Canyon National Park.
“At Bryce Canyon City, we are dependent on tourism,” Syrett said. “The scare of an E. coli outbreak in Bryce Canyon National Park could decrease the number of visitors to the area, which will not only greatly impact the park but also the surrounding cities. We hope that the national park and federal government will act quickly to clean and protect its water and mitigate the fear of E. coli.”
The only facilities affected by this particular E. coli scare are inside the boundaries of Bryce Canyon National Park. The water system and wells used by private and local organizations outside the park, including Bryce Canyon City, are not part of the area that is under investigation.
“We have actually been approached at Bryce Canyon City about bottling our water because it is so good,” said Syrett. “Our water is mineral-rich, cold, delicious, and pure.”
Those wishing to travel to Bryce Canyon National Park can safely continue with their plans as E. coli is not contagious; however, visitors should not drink the park’s water until the water concern is resolved. Visitors should instead bring bottled water or fill bottles at one of the nearby towns, such as Bryce Canyon City, before entering the park.
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